Will Order and Fulfillment API Resources be Available on Older API Versions?

[dblack]

We were recently informed that our custom app is using the deprecated Order and Fulfillment API resources in the GraphQL, and that we need to upgrade to using the new FulfillmentOrder API resource before March 31st. My question is does that mean that even if I am using an older version of the API (currently our app is hitting the 2020-10 version), will these resources stop functioning?

Just want to know if our app is going to stop functioning on this date even when using the older API version, or if we will just be unable to update to a new API version without converting?

[garyrgilbert]

Yes, its a breaking change.  You need to migrate your app to use the new fulfillments prior to moving to the new api version.

[dblack]

Will it only break if I change API versions? I understand that updating to a new API version would definitely break it, I want to know if I change nothing (in other words, continue to hit the 2020-10 version of the API) will the app still break?

[garyrgilbert]

It shouldn't, but come march 31st the custom app will probably stop working. Here from an email from shopify

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TL;DR: Your custom app is leveraging the deprecated Fulfillment API. Please note that the Fulfillment API will stop working as intended on March 31st, 2023 in favor of our new Fulfillment Order API. Read our migration guide and take action as soon as possible to avoid breaking changes.

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Upgrading to the new fulfillments is not too tough once you understand how it works.

Cheers

[dblack]

Thanks for your response, but I am still not clear. You say that it shouldn't, but then you say come March 31st it probably will stop working? 

I've read through the migration guide it is not clear what actually needs to change, and how to test whether you app will still function after this date. It seems strange to me to version an API then introduce breaking changes that retroactively apply to all API versions. What is the point of versioning if changes will apply to previous versions? Am I missing something?

[garyrgilbert]

It won't retroactively change the api. But the version you are currently
using will probably be sunsetted earlier than later. So I would not wait
until the app no longer works, but update in time. You still have almost
two months to get it done.

Cheers

Gary